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General discussion

Broadband: Is my cable connection becoming saturated?

Sep 18, 2009 6:49AM PDT
Question:

Broadband: Is my cable connection becoming saturated?


It has been several years since I got my cable modem. Living
in what was a relatively sparsely populated area, I enjoyed
lightning-fast response times on the Internet. My son grew up
and got involved in online shoot'em-up gaming and
downloading, and I detected that when he was doing that, the
little activity light on the modem was on a lot more than
off, which was expected.

More recently, I have noticed that the activity light is
nearly always on, blinking off occasionally and my response
lags a bit. I can't blame my son's activities anymore, since
he went off to college, and his PC's been powered off. What
could possibly be the culprit? Is it time to complain to my
ISP? Thanks for your opinions!

--Submitted Steve B.

Here below are some featured member answers to get you
started, but please read all the advice and suggestions
that our members have contributed to this question.

Broadband connection --Submitted by GEO2003
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7583_102-0.html?messageID=3130449#3130449

Testing your Cable modem upload/download speed --Submitted by ralphjramirez
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7583_102-0.html?messageID=3130465#3130465

Cable broadband slow down --Submitted by Zouch
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7583_102-0.html?messageID=3130465#3130465

Sounds like a virus... --Submitted by darrenforster99
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7583_102-0.html?messageID=3130736#3130736

Is my cable connection saturated? Not likely... --Submitted by Watzman
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7583_102-0.html?messageID=3130394#3130394

Please read more contributions below in this discussion thread.

If have any additional advice or experience to share with Steve, click on the reply link and submit it away. Please be as detailed as possible when providing a solution. Thank you!

Discussion is locked

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RE: Broadband: Is my cable connection becoming saturated?
Sep 19, 2009 12:17AM PDT

not likely. Cable modems even the older motorola surfboard 4100 can still deliver 3,5,10meg services, cable has now able to go much faster, and 12-50meg service may require a new, more modern modem to take advantage of extra bandwith, that cable service can provide, like the surfboard 5120. Some times a hard reset by removing the power coard for a few minuets can solve conection problems, even computers need a break.

What is most likely for excessive blinking pf the connect light, may be explained if you also have a wireless router, or wireless router/modem combo unit. People next door or down the block could be steeling your internet, wich most state statues cover as steeling, and can land someone in jail and a fines.

with laptops, range expanders,and briges, with high gain external antennas one can connect to an open router at a conciderable distance to steal internet. Routers come with setup cd's and instructions on how to password protect your wireless, proventing others from obtaining internet on your cable modem without permission.

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cable connection
Sep 19, 2009 1:50AM PDT

maybe there is an upgrade for your modem available that your cable company hasn't advertised very well. Also your firmware may need updating and just maybe your modem is just showing it's age and needs to be replaced.There is also the possibility that you may need to replace your nic card too.

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Neighbors helping your Broadband Saturation?
Sep 19, 2009 1:56AM PDT

If you are the only one in your home using the connection but it is showing activity when you're offline one must ask: Is your modem wireless; How close are your neighbors? If you are on a wireless and you have not activated any security features it's likely one or more of your neighbors have accessed your line for their own internet access, thereby depending on "how many" neighbors are helping themselves, possibly significantly reducing your access speed. Especially in these trying economic times some can not afford internet access period. If they can tie into yours(no malicious intent is implied, just desperation)to tend to even the most basic of needs it would show up on your modem activity lights even when your computer is off. If you do not desire to "share" your connection with the underprivledged, and I know there are many reason why you may not want to including security issues, I suggest you lock your modem/routers access and restrict it to solely your own system. If you know who is sharing your connection and trust them, remind them to be responsible, request they limit their access to times you're not online (they can tell)...and then don't.

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Old cable
Sep 19, 2009 3:03AM PDT

Our internet was really slow, along with some modem issues. When the guy came out to fix it, it noticed that the cable we had in the house was "old" - didn't have the correct number of wires in it. Apparently the "new" cables have the ability to carry more information at a faster rate. Once we replaced (some) of the cables, the connection sped up. We have been told that, once the weather cooled (from July), the cables leading up to the house need to be changed also.

It had never occurred to us that "old" cable would be a problem, but apparently so. I'm guessing that the cable installed in this house is probably 15-20 years old, so maybe that is one of your problems.

Another possibility, if you use wireless that is not secured properly, is that you are providing access for someone not in your house!

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Possibly overactive computer
Sep 19, 2009 5:11AM PDT

It sounds like your computer maybe extremely active (if you're not sharing files, some voluntary massive collaborative number crunching, some service constantly updating, etc.) to the point that it's compromised and is doing another's bidding [malware infection (adware, spyware Trojan, etc.), a zombie on a botnet or such].
If you're running a Windows version:
Check the Windows Task Manager (press "ctrl" & "alt" keys together and then also "delete" to access) "Applications", "Processes" and "Performance" tabs to look for high activity CPU usage in %.
Note what applications are running, any processes using high % of CPU and the level of CPU usage (normally low unless something with high bandwidth is running).
Note that "System Idle Process" having a high % means low CPU usage. Caution: Ending some processes can crash your computer.
Also using Internet Explorer (Firefox can be used if the IETAB add-on is installed) go to Microsoft's Windows Live OneCare Safety Scanner (English-United States):
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm
Preferably after backing up, run a "Protection" or "Full Service Scan". This may take a while and might not be able to fix some infections in which case a Windows reinstallation is needed.
Note that some System Restore points maybe infected and restore infections.

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Malware or Malneighbor
Sep 19, 2009 5:23AM PDT

the two things that pop into my mind.

1. some kind of malware is sending out spam from your computer.

2. If you have WI-FI router... someone else is sharing your connection.

Look at the ethernet cable connection, usually they have lights to show activity. If the ethernet light on your computer is as busy as the activity light on the cable modem, it's something your computer is doing.

Many computer programs are constantly downloadinf updates, so it could also be a normal thing.

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Modem
Sep 19, 2009 11:08AM PDT

I have tried Modem Boosters and it just did not seem to help but what I have done with success is replace the modem about every 3 to 4 yrs and found a great difference to the better with my cable connection. Now I have not got the newest computer but my speed with a newer, updated modem has helped me. Just because the modem is working does not mean it's running up to speed.

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Broadband Internet Connection Saturation
Sep 19, 2009 2:19PM PDT

Every new subscriber on the same bandwith with you will slow the speed of your connection down. This is common with Cable, DSL, and other forms of broadband. The cost of updating the infrastructure to handle the massive increase in popularity. So as the neigborhood becomes more populated, the bandwith decrease and your share of that bandwith disappears.

There is no real means of correcting this from the user's end. This is an infrastructure problem that the market expense dictates advancement.

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Is your network secure?
Sep 19, 2009 9:03PM PDT

If a wireless network is not properly secured your adsl internet is accessible to anyone within range of your router. There are a couple of ways to make it secure and it is even better to use all of them together.

Firstly access your router setup page and select wireless network setup.There will be a list of 3 or 4 different options to pick from. For this example we will use the method I have on my router. Select WPA-PSK, this is a very secure method requiring requiring a password to gain access but do not just use any old password. Use a series of letters, numbers and symbols to create it. Network hackers use programs loaded with a dictionary of names and words to crack the network access. A simple example of using a secure password is the name "India" but spelt like this "1ndi@". This is a pretty foolproof way of creating a password as it would not exist in any dictionary and is pretty easy to remember.

The best and most secure method of protecting your wireless network is to create an access list using MAC address. Every networking device whether it be wireless or a 10/100 ethernet port has a MAC address. To find the MAC address on your laptop or PC (this is how it is done on XP, I don't know about Vista)click start, run and type cmd. When the command prompt screen type ipconfig/all, this will display all the netoworking devices attached to that particular computer.The MAC address will be a series of letters and numbers similar to 00-41-c6-74-f0-5f and are unique to every networking device, much like a fingerprint. Find the access list setup within your router and add those numbers to the list along with a name to identify it. Apply the settings using both of these examples together and your wireless network should be 100% secure.

Hope this helps.

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My response to broadband becoming satured
Sep 20, 2009 12:26AM PDT

It is possible that you have a virus or worm hiding in your system. That may have happened because your son may have used peer-to-peer or visited links on social networking sites. If you have an anti-malware software installed on this PC you could go to one of several online virus scanner sites such as http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ . What is also likely is that you should power-down and power back up both your broadband modem and router as they do hold a cache.

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Broadband, Is my cable connection becoming saturated?
Sep 20, 2009 1:27AM PDT

Believe it or not, I was told by a support person at my cable supplier that I had to periodically shut down my cable modem and reboot it. It seems it has a cache and must be cleared or it lags. I thought he was kidding but I do it on a monthly basis and have not had that lag problem since.

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Cable vs Fiberoptic
Sep 20, 2009 1:45AM PDT

Being a former subcontractor for Bright House and user of VIOS I can tell you the difference between cable and fiberoptic. Unfortantly your problem is not uncommon, the more people that croud onto the internet in your neigborhood the worse it will get. Here how it works: cable uses copper "cable" to send and recieve signal, with the more people on a line the slower the response time will get. Most cable companies have a set ups like this: the main line (cable) comes into a feeder terminal where it is split up into several areas of your neighborhood and then further into (and up to) four homes (or apartments) for a single part of the street. All this splitting is of course amplified by the fact that more and more people are using that same cable. Unless your usage is not during the heavy traffic part of the day you will have slow downs in speed (no matter how many megabits you are payng for)! On the other hand if you are in an area that offers VIOS (viberoptic) then try to switch to this... here's the difference: Fiber, as it is referred to, does not use any copper cabling at all; the "wire" is actually fiberoptic cable that is connected directly to the outside of you home and comes directly from the supplier and not running through several splitting points like "cable" does. Of course this gives you better speed as well as you do not share the same "cable" as your neighbors!
I hope this helps and if you can switch to viber, then it is a far better choice!

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Is Cable connection becoming saturated? - Probably not...but
Sep 20, 2009 3:06AM PDT

Greetings and Salutations.
If you are seeing constant traffic (flashing data lights on the Cable Modem), it is likely that one of two things has happened.
1) It is possible that your system has gotten infected with a Windows Virus of some sort. I would update your Windows Virus Checker programs, then, reboot into safe mode, and run a complete scan of the system.
2) it is possible that you are simply the focus of a continuing attempt to break into your system by OTHER Windows Virus infected systems. You can guard about this by either making sure that the Windows Firewall is set properly, or, by downloading and installing any of a number of third party firewalls. These alternative programs are often easier to use and somewhat more resistant to being broken by external attacks.

If you are not fairly technically oriented, you probably should track down someone who has experience in running various of the network scanners and analysis programs to see what the traffic on the Network is, and to figure out where it is going, etc.
One small thing you can do to help is to go into the Network connections icon in the Control panel. On that control is a check box that will show you connection traffic as well as whether or not you are connected. Make sure that all the boxes are checked, then, shut down the control panel. You may have to reboot the computer. However, when this is done correctly, you should see a small icon down on the task bar (right end), that looks like two computer monitors. As network traffic moves in and out of your computer, the screens on the two monitors will flicker. Why is this useful, I am sure you are asking. Well, in theory, you should see almost no flickers unless you are actively surfing the Net. You will see a few because you probably have a number of programs running in the background that will phone home to see if there are any updates to be installed. Windows, RealPlayer, Flash, etc, all do this. If you are seeing a lot of traffic when you are just sitting at the desktop, this is a good hint that something is doing WAY too much talking on the Net...and might well be a Windows Virus or other Windows Malware.

By the by...It may bring screams of outrage here, but, the best person to track down these issues MAY not be your 10 year old nephew...and possibly not the Geek Squad. I would suggest finding a smallish computer store, or ask around to see if there are some consultants that can help you. Network issues can be tricky, and, even today, good analysis takes a combination of knowledge, experience and time...
Regards
Dave Mundt

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Broadband: Is my cable connection becoming saturated?
Sep 20, 2009 8:50AM PDT

You have answered your own question Lee. Cable broadband internet is evenly shared between users at that time. The more users there are, the slower your connection will be.

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news story contains good technical advice
Sep 21, 2009 12:30AM PDT
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Modem activity
Sep 21, 2009 2:14AM PDT

It is probably pings hitting the modem firewall from all over the internet.

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It is the architecture of Cable Modems.
Sep 21, 2009 12:50PM PDT

First don't confuse Cable modems with DSL (or ADSL) modems.

The way cable modem networks are architected they shared a 'headend' which is basically a network switch with a 'fanout' to each modem connected to it. As more modems share the switch the more saturated the network becomes. Cable networks use a method similar to Ethernet with collision detection and the usual 'wait for the line' methodology. So the more modems talking to the headend the more you wait for the line. Hence that is why you see a slower connection. Unless you pay for a 'special' connection which gives you more access to the headend, you wait. Headends are connected downline to the 'large pipe' which is main carrier of your signals to the net.

ADSL does not suffer from this because it is basically one line that accumulates at the CO (Central Office) and then a massively parallel switch handles the traffic. Unless the 'large pipe' is saturated ADSL is usually unimpeded by the its architecture versus that of a cable modem. The drawback is that ADSL is usually not as fast as Cable, but only by a small margin.

Or so I have been told. I had one of the first hundred Cable Modems in my city and as things slowed down a network expert explained it to me what I have just described. I use ADSL these days.

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call your provider
Sep 28, 2009 7:41PM PDT

Awhile back my CABLE INTERNET service too, deteriorated.

I just called the cable company and scheduled a free check-up (make sure you get a free checkup-REQUEST IT!)

You pay good $$ I am sure for your access-USE THE SERVICE TO IT'S FULL EXTENT.

As for cause; It could be any number of issues or multiple issues, even. In my case it was cable degradation. Since I rented, the line was split off so many times (to each bedroom HD box {3} by the time it got to my modem the signal was very low-almost unreadable).

The tech's have a device that actually measures signals-VERY HANDY to troubleshoot. (Of course it's "specialized" equipment that only a repair tech would have usually.

CALL YOU PROVIDER YOU PAID FOR THIS SERVICE!

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Old Modem?
Oct 2, 2009 11:57AM PDT

Depending on the cable system, people usually expect the provider to inform them of outdated boxes! The cable provider is expecting the customer to call in and have a service call to follow up. The tech should recognize the outdated box. If you have had the cable modem 4-8 years, most likely it can't handle the speed boosts that cable provider adds to service. The cable modem has it's hardware and software limits! If the customer requests a new cable modem, there's no charge for the swap! Reason is that there's a rental on the modem each month. Now if it's customer owned. Is it 4-8 years old - needs replace most likely? The customer fears the service charge of $20-$25 - that's why they don't call the service provider! The newer cable modems in the marketplace now can handle up to 26 MBS;even though, the service provider is supplying lesser speeds.

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first things first
Oct 2, 2009 12:27PM PDT

It seems like everyone is jumping to conclusions about the most ominous things really fast.

The first step to take when your speed seems sluggish is to test the speed.

I use speedtest.net which pings a nearby location and measures the timing of the ping to calculate the speed. Since speed varries at any given moment I usualy do about 6 or 8 tests and average them.

I recently subscribed to a new ISP that was advertising a 6 mb/s speed the technician installed it and tested it and said everything was working fine, but within a day or so it seemed very sluggish. I ran a test only to find that my 6 mb connection was really just barely a 2 mb connection.
Unfortunatly ISPs are in need of some serious regulation. Rarely do you find an ISP that really provides the speed you think you have. Many ISPs say somthing like "lightning speeds up to 6 mb/s" and unfortunatly the only time you can ever approach 6 mb/s is at 4AM on the third sunday morning of the month for a period of about 15 minutes and the rest of the time you are paying for 6mb/s and only receiving 4. My personal opinion is ISP's should have to provide a minimum speed assurance.
Another thing that speedtest.net does is that it shows you the average speed that other people using your ISP have based on their tests. If you are below the average it's time to call customer service. It is amazing the speed you will get from the ISP when you complain about your speed and you have actual data to back up your claims. It only takes them a a minute to reprovision your cable modem so your speed is where it should be and you can test it from your end while you are on the phone with them.

If speedtest.net says you have above average speed for your ISP and your connection still seems sluggish then it is time to start looking for a deeper source of the problem.

A good cleanup with a program like cleanup.exe can is a good place to start and then work toward detection of bot programming etc., but you may just find that all the crap you have installed on your computer over the years is hogging your resources and you are only realizing it when you are online.

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Simple easy steps
Oct 2, 2009 1:23PM PDT

#1 - Disconnect your cable modem from your router. Plug directly into your PC. Does this fix issue? The cable company WILL require you to do this if you call them.

#2 - Now that you've ruled out the router, next step, have a friend with a known good working laptop come over, plug their laptop right into your cable modem. Still slow? Then the problem is not your computer, or your router.

#3 - Replace the cable modem. You can get them for $49-69 at the store now days - just call your cable company and make sure it's an approved list. Once they activate it, still slow? Have a tech come out.

#4 - Tech come out - have the tech test your lines, signal strength, etc. If the tech determines a problem with your wiring, you'll have to pay to have it repaired, but this can go a long way to fixing these type of problems.

#5 - They suck - last but not least you are screwed if your cable company is over-subscribing on your node - you'll want to look at other options such as DSL, wireless through your cell phone provider (usually only 1mbps speed, but still better then a bad cable connection), or... Satellite internet.. Those are the worst options, but if you can't resolve it those are your choices.

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Give me a break, if you use Windows, you will have trouble.
Oct 2, 2009 3:26PM PDT

Enough is enough. You're using a crappy OS. You will get viruses. It is unstable by design. The paging file can be read. The passwords can be decrypted. Code will run and execute itself. The kernel can be hacked. You have no real control over any service.
If a person sticks their hand in a fire once or twice, it is a mistake.
If the person does it multiple times, that person is a fool.

You want stability? Use a BSD flavor, use a Linux distro, buy the apple source code and make your own MAc-type release; but, don't expect to be trouble free using windows.

Trojans? Your fault, should do research before you go hopping around the internet on a system known for security holes.

Testing the upload and download speed? Right. Using a tool such as wget will give you a true reading from each site.


Saturated connection? Oh for the love of god. I can run this computer with a virtual machine, the laptop, and another computer and nothing is saturated.

Broadband slowdown? Nope, Again, crappy OS.

Sorry, but you deserve what happened.

I may be coarse but those who use a Unix-type system know that I am telling the truth.

And a load of people in the same boat giving advice makes as much sense as a blind man picking out a color scheme for the bathroom.

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Your right, but...
Oct 3, 2009 2:44AM PDT

The majority of people are running Windows because it offers the most software offerings, it is something they are familiar with, and it shares commonality amongst most offices and homes.

Sure Linux and Unix flavors offer many speed and security benefits, but they are not as system friendly in an Enterprise environment - since they offer very little in the way of capacity planning, security management, internals monitoring, process monitoring, etc. Some of the techies at work(a large milti-national custody firm) can hack themselves into supervisor state in seconds on most Unix Os systems. So they are not the most secure software platforms either. Unix does have other holes too. Plus also, Unix/Linux is not in every school, every home, every store... so only techies run with them.

The question is raised about the ISP speed and this is mainly platform independent - sure Windows has many drawbacks - but that won't change why people are using it.

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Unix hacking= unsecure setup
Oct 3, 2009 9:54AM PDT

If you can hack into a Unix or Linux server, the person didn't install it properly.

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Wanna bet?
Oct 3, 2009 10:49AM PDT

One time was during a large software vendor's security class.

The only OS that is close to hack proof and virus proof is the IBM z platform. All the rest pale in comparison in diagnostic/security capabilities. Unix runs faster as its OS does not run in a fully optimized state. Many of the 'faster' systems and databases are fast because they trade referential integity for speed.

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Correction...
Oct 3, 2009 10:50AM PDT

optimized state = authorized state

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State - State of confusion
Oct 3, 2009 12:42PM PDT

What is authorized state, perhaps you mean Supervisor state? "Unix runs faster as its OS does not run in a fully optimized state" If you mean supervisor/privileged state, that is true, and is by design. Everything running on a computer should run at the lowest possible state, thereby protecting the system.

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It's Authorized State, Meaning Restricted Access
Oct 4, 2009 12:56AM PDT

You only want certain programs to run in an authorized state, on some platforms that is also called supervisor state. But this access has to be given out sparingly. Only someone who does not know how their applications operate grant access to everything.

You don't want to give all your programs on your server full system access. If a rogue program gets installed from a non-trusted source, you open your server up to compromise.

If I recall right, OS/2 and early WINNT ran this way - but it slowed the PCs down so much that NT removed many of these checks, thereby making it faster and less secure.

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Unix hacking: 2
Oct 3, 2009 8:16PM PDT

I'll bet with secure levels, wheel, and umask.

Make that two zero two.

Who was this large software vendor and what tests were run?

What was the setup of each system being tested?
Where they made as secure as possible or with the so called "default" configuration?
Security in the BSDs comes from the first listed.
Security in Linux comes from service controls, groups, permissions.
Security from plan9 comes from file directories and user control.

The z platform is an architecture.
The z/OS is what you are referring to; and, by the way, both are developed by IBM.

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Just Search 'Hack Linux Servers' and scroll down
Oct 4, 2009 1:04AM PDT

Just search on various hacks to unix and linux servers. There are about as many tips and books on these as there are for Windows. Since Windows is the more used, general purpose operating system - there are more hackers for that system.

That's one reason why Lotus Notes doesn't get hacked as much as Outlook. Not many casual users use Notes and it's not as common - therefore, not as many nerds sitting at home trying to hack into it.

Regarding the vendor, I'm not going to open myself up to a libel on that one and drag in others. But they are a BIG Unix vendor. Nice try though.

I mentioned the z platform, because 1) when speaking about it, it's generally called that.; 2) there is also z/VM, not just z/OS. Search on that one too, you'll find you are wrong again.

If these two platforms were so safe, there wouldn't be so many hacks into them. It's just that there isn't as many as Windows.